Loren Sparby

Loren Sparby of Shafer died suddenly on Saturday July 27th at his home at the age of 80.

Loren was born on March 29, 1933. He grew up in Owatonna, Minnesota. In 1944 he moved to a farm south of Shafer belonging to John and Bessie Hoeft. There were three other foster boys Leslie, Robert and Arthur. After three days he milked his first cow by hand. He was confirmed and baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lindstrom, Minnesota. He started 6th grade at Osceola, Wisconsin where he graduated in 1951. He was then drafted in 1952. He did basic training at Fort Riley Kansas.

He went to culinary school and remained there for two years. When he came home he helped on the farm with Leslie until he was married and took over the Hoeft farm. He liked hunting, fishing, bowling and being with friends. He worked part time at the Osceola Bakery with the Christensons and the Beaches. He custom combined for a lot of people in the area. In 1962 he married Darlene Swiontek at Zion Lutheran in East Farmington, Wisconsin where he was an elder for many years. Loren was preceded in death by his parents John Aandal and Alma Sparby, brother Arlo and wife Marge Aandal; and infant brother Marris Aandal; brother Ray Aandal and nephew John Aandal. Foster parents John and Elizabeth (Bessie) Hoeft; foster brothers Leslie and wife Mae Baxter, foster brother Rev. Robert Hoeft and foster brother Arthur Dufault and wife Carol, brother-in-law Henry Swiontek and nephew Jason Swiontek.

He is survived by his loving wife Darlene; son Sonny Sparby and wife Irene; daughters Doris Sparby and Cindy Sparby; five grandchildren Aaron Sparby and wife Tina, Dianna Sparby, Nicole Videen, Justin Luttinen, and Kysaundra Luttinen; six great grandchildren, Alex, Kyle, Charles, Iylee, Brooke and Phoenix; brother Roy and Dottie Aandal, Frances Aandal; Armond and Judy Marx; Marilyn Marx; Meryl Marx; sister-in-law Shirley and Lee Cross, brothers-in-law Darwin and Jeanette Swiontek, Russel and Carol Swiontek, Michael and Maggie Swiontek, Larry and Debbie Swiontek, Darrel and Bonnie Swiontek, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. There will be a visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 31 at Grandstrand Funeral Home in Osceola. Funeral services at 11 AM Thursday at Zion Ev. Lutheran church in East Farmington. Arrangements by the Grandstrand Funeral Home www.grandstrand fh.com.